George Clarke returns to our screens this evening with a new instalment of Remarkable Renovations, where we will see him help turn unloved houses into homes.
Watching George work his magic is enough to spark a desire to re-do your entire home, but sadly, with the cost of living crisis, not many of us can afford to.
However, a house renovation doesn’t have to cost tens of thousands of pounds, and smaller changes can make a huge difference.
We asked the Head of Design at Swoon, the UK’s leading online design-led furniture brand, for some top tips on how to spruce up your home without breaking the bank.
Transform your sofa
Buying a new sofa is a surprisingly high expense, and it’s hard to justify that kind of money if your current sofa is just "okay".
So, instead of splashing out on a whole new couch, try buying cushions or throws to increase comfort and style.
Choosing fresh colour and textures can make your sofa look years younger and pairing that with a soft velvet throw will mean once you sit down and get comfortable, you won’t ever want to get back up.
Improve lighting
Never underestimate the power of good lighting.
Try adding a lamp to the corner of a room or your bedside rather than always relying on a central ceiling light, as this will create a subdued and subtle ambience in your space, adding a calmer, atmospheric glow.
Sam Baldry said: “Sometimes you don’t even have to go as far as buying a new lamp to create atmosphere through lighting.
“If you already have a lamp that you love, simply changing the ordinary bulb for a colour changing one, or adding a dimmer switch will allow you to easily adjust the ambience to something more romantic or warm.”
Add a pop of colour
The hashtag “painted walls” is currently thriving on Instagram, with users showing off the brightly coloured feature walls in their homes.
Having one stand-out wall makes the entire room pop and feel bigger, and to go even further, choose a feature object that goes with the wall and matches the colours.
Or repaint all your walls, and turn it in to a fun day activity with family and friends; it will be cheaper than a night out at a restaurant or pub and who doesn’t love a paint fight?
Shop for shelving
This does require spending a little bit of cash, but adding shelving to a room can increase its depth and help you keep things organised.
Adding a shelf to a featureless wall and filling it with your prized possessions, whether books or booze, will spice up the wall and show off your stuff all in one.
Sam said: “Shelving is a really great way to change up a room. It offers a distraction and breaks up plain walls, adding depth and giving you the opportunity to create a display or practical storage.
"Choose your favourite books and plants to express your individuality and character.
“Decide whether you want to make your own, or select ready-made options, just remember to use a spirit level - nobody wants a lopsided look!”
Add a mirror to create more space
This could come as a surprise to some, but adding a mirror or two to a smaller room can create the illusion of extra space.
By reflecting light around your room and creating a sense of enhanced space, you can easily transform any area of your abode.
For an even more dramatic effect, cover a whole section of a wall in mirrors or have a piece of mirrored glass cut to the size of a recessed area.
This super affordable tip can create a brand-new aesthetic for a fraction of the price of buying new art or canvases.
Sam added: “Whether you want to add space, light or just somewhere practical to see yourself, a mirror is a great design feature that can work wonders in changing the look of any room.
"I love the idea of creating a gallery wall of different shaped mirrors - mixing antiques, charity shop finds, and new purchases to create an amalgamation of reflective art.”
Make a feature of the floor
Perhaps not one for all homeowners, but for those with whackier taste, creating a feature of your floor can bring your house to the next level.
Adding a colourful rug will bring additional cosiness and warmth to any room, and experimenting with textures will add another dimension to your interior.
Re-tiling or even staining your floors with different colours is a sure way to make sure your home stands out.
